The Complete Idiot's Guide to Team Building

by Pell, Ph.D., Arthur R.

• ISBN13: 9780028636566
• ISBN10: 0028636562
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1999-11-01
• Publisher: DK Publishing, Inc.

Summary

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Team-Building shows first-time managers and employees how to work together as a smooth, well-oiled machine.

The book shows how to:

Avoid and manage conflict.

Inspire creativity. Coax employees to help team members who aren't performing. Get everyone to pitch in. Gain unprecedented results and make the team enjoy going to work.

Table of Contents

Part 1: Teams: Gimmicks, Fads, or the Real Stuff?	1	(43)
What's So New About Teams?
The collaborative work team---the way of the future	3	(12)
The Barriers to Team Success
Understanding why teams have failed, so you won't make the same mistakes	15	(14)
Laying the Foundation for Team Success
Setting meaningful goals and preparing the team to achieve them	29	(14)
Part 2: Molding a Group Into a Working Team	43	(86)
Communication: The Lifeblood of Team Success
Getting your ideas across to team members---and listening to what they have to say	45	(14)
Say it Right---Write it Right
Expressing yourself effectively, orally and in writing	59	(16)
Meetings: Time-Wasters or Productivity Tool?
Making meetings participative and creative	75	(14)
Who's Gonna Do the Work?
Delegating without losing control	89	(14)
Be a Leader, Be a Coach
Leading without bossing	103	(16)
Your Team Is Not Alone
Interacting with other teams to meet company goals	119	(10)
Part 3: Can't We All Just Get Along?	129	(76)
Overcoming Team Discord
Dealing with troublemakers, dissenters, and slackers	131	(14)
Maintaining Harmony Within the Team
Dealing with members' conflicts, gripes, and personal problems	145	(16)
Measuring Performance
Appraising individual and team performance	161	(14)
When Team Members Don't Make the Grade
First try salvaging. If necessary---discipline and termination	175	(16)
Bye-Bye Buddy
When members quit; when members are downsized	191	(14)
Part 4: T-E-A-M---Yay Team!	205	(48)
Power, Power. Who's Got the Power?
The true meaning of empowerment	207	(14)
Different Strokes for Different Folks
Motivating members; motivating the team	221	(16)
Show Me the Money!
Does money really motivate?	237	(16)
Part 5: Staffing the Team---And Getting It Going	253	(94)
Transforming a Work Group Into a Team
Tips for leaders; tips for members	255	(14)
When the Team Is Brand-New
Selecting members from within the company	269	(16)
Recruiting Candidates from Outside the Company
Do's and don'ts in seeking candidates	285	(16)
Separating the Wheat from the Chaff
Screening and interviewing prospects for your team	301	(16)
Making the Hiring Decision
Minimizing the risks in choosing team members	317	(14)
Honing the Team Members' Skills
Getting members started on the right foot---and keeping them on the cutting edge of their jobs	331	(16)
Part 6: Special Teams for Special Purposes	347	(60)
The Self-Directed Team
Who leads a team when there is no team leader?	349	(14)
Cross-Functional Teams
When team members come from different departments	363	(14)
When Team Members Are in Remote Locations
Keeping in touch when members are not at the base office	377	(14)
Appendixes
A Publications with Articles on Team Management	391	(4)
B Associations Dealing with Team Management and Human Resources	395	(4)
C Glossary of Team Terms	399	(8)
Index	407